Reel-actuating device for cameras and the like



y s. c, swANN. l HEEL ACTUATINGDEVICE FOR CAMERAS AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, |916.

ATTORNEYS lNvENToR M w 1 U s M 9 .H3 9 s n. m Y o w 55 y. m 2 4 r m I m M Y E P I .o 1| l@ I 6 3 1. 5 e 4 z a M I. IIIIIIIIIII 0 m 6 4. 4 0l rd 7 0J 7 4 M au 6 4 3 Mm 3 9 3 o a 5 4 5 1 5 4 45M@ S. C. SWANN. REEL ACTUATING DEVICE FOR CAMERAS AND THE LIKE.

. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29 |916. 1,394,048.

Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES,l

PATENT IOFFICE.

SYDNEY c. sWANN, E RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, AssreNoR To EASTMAN KODAK CoM- PANY, 0E ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

REEL-ACTATING DEVICE ron CAIvTERAsy AND THE LIKE.

Original application filed March 15, 1916; Serial No. 84,320. Divided and this Serial No. 134,100.

ber 29, 1 916.

the like, of which the following is a specification.

It has heretofore generally been the practice in loading and unloading cameras, to operate the same in substantially the following manner The spool from which the film has been unwound is removed from thecenter which supports what is ordinarily called the feed ing is continued until previousexperience or spool, and is placed in a reverse position on the center which supports what is ordinarily called the Winding spool, and the roll is adjusted upon the feed center to prop-A erly position it. The lfilm paper is then drawn across the exposed face of the camera andthe end of the film laboriously inserted into an elongated slot in the Winding spool. This film must be accurately centered or it Will pull unevenly, asis obvious. It is then necessary to turn the finger key several times before putting on the back of the camera. After the camera is closed, the Winding must be continued until such time as the Warning signal on the film indicates that the film is near position for `exposure, and constant vigilance must be used to prevent the film from passing this point.

Each successive exposure. requires the same'careful manipulation lof the film. After the last exposure is made, the hand'vvindthe operators judgment indicates that it is probably safe to remove the back of the camera. l/Vhen this is done, the camera must be put upon a suitable table or other support and one hand used to produce a tension on the Winds to the end.

It is furthermore impossible'to release the tension until a gummed sticker is putv over the end of the roll of the film. rPlien it is necessary to remove the'center' and release the roll', after which it must be vremoved or ejected from its pocket by any suitable means, but usually by upsetting or turning upside down or reversing the camera.

In my novel invention, I have devised a novel reel, reel center and reel actuating Specification of Letters Patent.

paper 'While the-other handratented oct. 18, 1921.

application iiled Novemlng'steps inthe manner described, which are usually employedy in connection with existing forms of cameras now in use, it beingunnecessary in adapting my device to camera casings of the conventional type, to change to anyv extent the exterior contour` or Casin(T of the camera, so that Iny invention readily applicable to camera casings of the standard types and sizes now in use.

Furthermore, in my device I make no change Whatever in the film, but secure a three-sided or 'other polygonal center or reel to the starting end of the roll, by inserting the end of said film between longitudiuallv extending juxtaposedlips on said reel, said polygonal reel forming the double function both ofa reel and center for the film or roll, and being made of any suitable material, such as paper, paste-board,` fiber, metal or other suitable material and While said reel 1s preferably made hollow, it can be made solid, if desired, and either the hollow or solid construction can be perforated. if desired. f

It will be seen from the foregoing that in my device I eliminate various parts of the camera reels and centers heretofore employed, and have produced a novel device, which is simpler, more efiicient and economical and less liable to get out of order, and I am further enabled in my device to eliminate the slow and uncertain processes of manipulation now employed to insert a newy film or roll, and to advance the same.V as desired. l

I furthermore am enabled by my device to propel the film automatically, and I also am enabled to finally remove said film or roll after it has been entirely used, from the mechanism forV dispensing with the foregocamera, with greater expedition than heretoing constructed the same and in substantial accordance with the disclosure in my pending application aforesaid.

To the above ends, my invention consists of a novel reel actuating device and a novel manner of assembling and collocating my novel reel center with respect to its actuating mechanism, whereby a simultaneous outward or inward movement of a pair of centers is effected.

1t further consists of a novel construction of a reel center having a polygonal end portion, and a body portion attached thereto and provided with a pinion.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings certain embodiments thereof which are at present preferred by. me, since the same will give-in practice satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities .of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a sectional view'on line 1-1, Fig. 2, of a camera and its adjuncts embodying my invention, the reels and film being removed therefrom.

Fig, 2 represents a section on line 2 2 Fig. 1, showing the inner reel and the outer reel carrying the film or strip of material in assembled position with respect to their respective tension carriages.

Fig. 3 represents on an enlarged scale, a section on line 3-3 Fig. 1. y

Fig. 4 represents on an enlarged scale a perspective view of the manually-operated device for simultaneously operatingthe reel or film centers.

Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of the parts composing my novel reel center in detached position, showing also in perspective the hub or cam sleeve and the arm co- 1 acting therewith.

Fig. 6 represents a perspective view showing the center, rock arm, hub andthe sup-V showing the parts in detached position. Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts. n Y

' Referring to the drawings 1 designates my novel construction of camera, the same comprising an outer casing, which may be of any usual or conventional Acharacter or construction, being, if desired, of a flat rectangular shape, having round or square ends and provided with a top detachable member 2, which may be fastened in position to the base member 3 by-means of any of the springcatches or locking devices now generally employed.

4 and 5 designate the inner side walls of the camera, the same being contained vwithin the'outer side walls 6 and 7 respectively, whereby the longitudinally eX- tending chambers 8 and 9 respectively will be formed between'said walls 4 `and-'6 and 5 and 7, as will be understood from Figs. 1 and 3.

10 designates a partition at the left of the camera, and 11 designates aY partition at the right thereof, said partitions 10 and 11 having the rollers 12 and 13 located in proximity thereto, said rollers being preferably freely revolubleupon a suitable axis and having the strip or film 14 traveling over them. f

The manner of mounting or supporting the roll or film 14V will be yapparent from Fig. 2, and is the same as already described in my contemporaneously pending application aforesaid, the startingend 15 of the film Vbeing secured within the polygonalshaped reelor center 16, as seen in Figs. 2 and 8, by having itsterminal 17 introduced between the juxtaposed walls 18 and 19 of said reel, aswill be understood from the right-hand-portion of Fig. 2 and from Fig. 8. The reel 16 which 1 preferably employ is shown in the present instance, as

- best seen in Figs.l 2 and 8, as a hollow ol Ofonal body which may be composed gf iard-board, paste-board, fiber, metal or any other similar material. Y

Themanner of assembling the starting end ofthe film 14 with respect to the outer or starting polygonal reel 16 will be understood from the right-hand of Fig. 2, the inner end of the film or strip, as indicated at about the point 20, being kdetachably secured to the inner. reel 21 inthe manner shown in Fig. 8, or if desired, the inner terminal of said film may be merely wound around said inner reel 21, but disconnected therefrom, so that when the film 14 has been used on its last exposure, the inner end 20 thereof can be readily unreeled from said inner reel 21. VIt will be understood that the film 14 comes from the manufacturer or source of supply wound on the inner reel 21 and having the outer reel attached thereto in the manner described with respect to Figs. 2 and 8, and in orderv to load thc camera or to place the film in position, it is only necessary to remove the top 2 of the camera and drop the left-hand roll or reeled film 22 upon the left-hand tension carriage 24, which is pivotally supported at 23, as will be understood from the left-hand portion of Figs. 1 and 2, said tension carriage comprising a curved plate having the concave longitudinal seat 25, which receives said roll or reeled film 22.

The detailed construction of the tension carriage per se forms no part of the present invention, as the same has already been described and claimed in my contemporaneously pending application aforesaid, it being, however, essential that said tension carriage be provided with springs or tension devices, as indicated at 26', so that the carriage is caused to exert pressure from the bottom 'upwardly against the reel 0r roll 22 as the same is unwound, and its diameter becomes reduced, said tension carriage contacting with said roll at all times and thereby compensating for the reduction in diameter of the roll during the unwinding or unreeling of the film.

lt will be apparent from the foregoing that the roll 22 of the film upon being placed in position, as indicated at the left of Fig. 2, will depress somewhat the tension carriage 24, as shown in the left of said figure, and the operator can now unreel or unroll the strip or lilm suficiently until the starting reel 16 can assume the position seen at the right of Fig. 2, it being, however, understood that the inner reel 21 has been previously rotatably mounted in position with respect to its centers 26, as will be hereinafter described, and as the manner of mounting ano centering the inner reel 21 and the outer or starting reel 16 at each end of the camera is substantially identical, the description of the operation of one pair or' centers will suiiice for both.

The film or strip 14 having` been unrolled ror unreeled su'iiiciently, as above explained,

to permit the starting reel 16 to be dropped into the position seen at the right-hand of Fig. 2, it will be apparent that said reel 16 is received in a longitudinally extending V or similar shaped seat, which is composed of the V-shaped or diverging walls 27 and 28, the latter wall being attached to or depending f'rom the right tension carriage 29, which is composed or" a trough-shaped member pivotally supported at 30 and provided with suitable springs or tension devices 31, whereby as the film or strip of material is wound upon the reel 16, the tension carrie 0e 'will be depressed downwardly and will accommodate itself to the gradually increasing diameter of said reeled hlm or other material.

In the construction seen at the right of Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, 32 designates a finge piece, which projects inwardly and laterally from the upper end of the curved bar 33, which carries at its lower extremity 34 a transversely extending rod 35, whose outer ends are guided in Ithe curved slots 36 of the partitions 4 and 5, as seen in Figs. 3 and 6, the outer portions of said rod 35 passing through the-holes 37 in the lower extremities of the roch arms 38, whose upper portions are provided with the curved slots 39 and 40.

41 designates an opening in the upper portion of each of the rock arms 3S, through which loosely passes the threaded port-ion 42 of the polygonal center 43, said center being longitudinally tapped to receive the threaded stem 42 and the latter having` attached thereto an enlarged hub provided wit-h the pinion or gear 44, which terminates in the head 45, as will be understood from the left-hand portion of F 3, and from Figs. 5 and 7.

it will be understood that only the single center seen at the upper right-hand portion of F ig. 1 and at the left-hand portion of Fig. 3 is constructed in the manner described as regards the pinion 44, the other three centers 26 being constructed as seen in Fig. 9, wherein the polygonal center proper is indicated at 26 having the threaded hole 46 therein, which is engaged by the threaded stem 47, which projects from the rounded boc y portion 48, provided with the head 49.

The construction of the centers 26 will be readily understood from the right-hand portion of 3 and from Fig. 9.

Vhile l have shown the reels 21 and 16 as being` preferably ot triangular shape in cross-section, it will be understood that the same may be of other polygonal shape in cross section, and that in order to cooperate with the triangular openings in the ends of the reels 21 and 16, have shown the centers 26 and 43 being triangular in crosssection, but it will of course be understood that in case l employ a polygonal shaped center of different contour, as a rectangle, the contour of the coacting centers will'be correspondingiy changed.

50 designates the cam sleeve seen at the upper right-hand end of Fig. 1, at the left or Figs. 3 and 4, and in Fig. 5 which incloses the center 43, said cam sleeve being provided with a slot 52 in the side thereof, to permit the entrance of the gear 53, in order that the latter may mesh with the pinion 44 which is contained within said cam sleeve 50, the other three cam sleeves 54 being unprovided with any slots as 52. All four of the cam sleeves are, however, provided with the inclined cam slots 55, which extend in opposite directions, as will be understood from the right-hand portion of Fig. 4, it being apparent that when the arms 38 are assembled upon the cam sleeves, the solid portions 56 between the terminals of the cam slots 39 and 40 upon being engaged with said cam slots 55, will produce a device which when assembled will appear substantially as seen in Figs. 3 and 4 and that the oscillation of the transverse rod upon a depression of the linger piece 32 will cause an oscillation of the rock arms 38, which by reason of their engagement with the stationary cam sleeves will cause the arms 38, centers connected thereby and their adjuncts to move simultaneously inwardly or outwardly on a horizontal line. The-manner of the interlocking of the upper portions of the oscillatory rock arms 38 with the stationary cam sleeves will be readily understood from the ends of Fig. 3 and from Figs. 4, 5 and 6, itbeing understood that the cam sleeve 50 seen at the upper right-hand portion of Fig. 1 and the three other cam sleeves 54 are suitably mounted between the walls 5 and 7 and 4 and 6 and said arms 33 are capable of readily rotating thereon. ylhe oscillation of said arms 33 readily effects the simultaneous outward and inward movement of each pair of centers 26 and 26 or 43 and 26 according to requirements.

As already explained, it will be understood that the three centers 26 are all constructed as seen in Fig. 9, while the center 43 is constructed as seen in Figs. 5 and 7, it being only necessary that one of said centers as 43, be in communication with the driving mechanism or gear, as 53.

1t will be understood that the gear 53 may be intermittentl7 or automatically actuated from any suitable source of energy or prime motor as a spring motor or the like, one form of such prime motor being shown in my contemporaneously pending application aforesaid, but 1 do not desire to be limited theretor` as any form of motive power or means for initially imparting intermittent or automatic rotation to the gear 53, pinion 44 and its centers 43 can be employed, as may be desired.

The operation is as follows VVhen the parts are in the position seen in Fig. 2, the finger piece 32 and the centers 26 seen at the left of Fig. 1 are in substantially the position seen in full lines in Fig. 2. Then it is desired to cause the centers 2, in which position the centers appear as Y seen in Fig. 1.

The operation of the right-hand center 43 and its juxtaposed alining center 26 `seen in Fig. 1, is the same as already described, it being apparent that when the right-hand finger piece 32 is in the position seen at the right of Fig. 2, the center 43 and its alining center 26 will bein the position seen in the right of Fig. 1. l

`When it is desired to cause the pair of centers 43 and 26 to become disengaged from the'ends of the reel 16 it is only necessary to exert an upward pull upon the finger piece 32, whereupon said centers will be withdrawn from the ends of the reel 16 and the latter can be removed and a new one placed in position, according to requirements.

lt will be seen that the actuation of the gear 53, which is mounted on a suitable shaft, will positively Yactuate the pinion 44, the center 43 and the coacting reel 16, the actuation of said reel effecting the unreeling of the strip of material 14, as is evident. The heads of the center as 45 and 49 can be received orlocated in the depressed portions 57 of the closures 58, said closures having openings therethrough permitting the body portion of the centers to be rotatably mounted therein.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful construction of a reel actuating device for cameras and the like, which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description, and while I have, in the present instance, shown and described a preferred embodiment thereof which will give in practice satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modiiication in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. ln a reelingdevice, a center adapted to engage the end of a reel, a pinion carried by said center and rotatable in unison therewith, means for rotating said pinion and center, a cam sleeve surrounding a portion of said center, and means coacting with said cam sleeve to actuate said center in a longitudinal direction.

2. In a reeling device, a threaded stem having a pinion on an extension thereof, a center of polygonal contour having a threaded seat engaged by said stem, said pinion, center and stem rotating in unison, a cam sleeve surrounding a portion of said center, and means coacting with said cam sleeve to actuate said center Ain a longitudinal direction.

8. In a reeling device, centers polygonally shaped in cross-section, a pinion carried by one of said centers and rotatable in unison therewith, means for rotating said pinion, a reel having polygonal openings in its ends, Which are engaged by a pair of said centers, cam sleeves surrounding a portion of said centers, and means coacting with said cam sleeves' to actuate said pair of centers longitudinally into and out of engagement with said reel. i

4. In a reeling device, a pair of centers polygonally "shaped in cross section, a pinion carried by one of said centers, means for rotating said pinion and center, a polygonal reel rotatably supported having a polygonal opening in each of its ends, said openings being engaged by said centers, a slotted cam sleeve surrounding a portion of each oit' said centers, and means coacting With said cam sleeves to actuate said centers toward and away from the ends of said reel.

5. In a reeling device, a pair of centers polygonally shaped in cross-section, a pinion detachably connected With one of said centers, means for rotating said pinion and its center as a unit, a. cam sleeve surrounding a portion of each center and having an oblique slot therein, and means coacting With said slots and cam sleeves to actuate said centers toward and away from said reel.

6. In a reeling device, a pair of reel centers polygonally shaped in cross-section, a pinion mounted on one ot' said centers, means for rotating said pinion, cam sleeves surrounding a portion of said centers, arms depending from said cam sleeves, a transverse rod joining said arms, and a inger piece connected to said rod for actuating said rod-,arms and cam stems in unison to cause lsaid centers to be simultaneously mov-ed avv y from and toivard each other.

7. In a reeling device, a pair of centers polygonally shaped in cross-section, a reel also polygonally shaped in cross-section having its ends engaged by said centers, a pinion mounted on one or' said centers, means for rotating said pinion, cam sleeves surrounding a portion of said centers and having oblique slots therein, and means coacting with said slots in said cam sleeves to simultaneously actuate said centers.

8. In a device of the character stated, a casing, stationary sleeves supported on said casing and having cam slots therein, arms having means to engage said sleeves and slots, reel centers carried by said arms, means to oscillate said arms, a pinion secured to one of said reel centers, one of said cam sleeves surrounding said pinion and having aslot therein, and a gear extending through said slot and in engagement with the pinion carried by said center.

9. In a camera, a casing, sleeves carried thereby and provided With cam slots, arms having means to enter said slots, a rod passing through said arms, means to move said rod in a curved path, reel centers carried by said arms, a pinion detachably secured to one of said centers, and a gear for rotating said pinion, one of said sleeves inclosing said pinion and being` slotted to permit said gear to mesh Wit-h said pinion.

SYDNEY C. SWANN.

lf'itnesses F. E. SOBRE, C. Il. DRosTY.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,394,048, granted October 18, 1921, upon the applicationof Sydney C. Swann, of Richmond, Virginia, for an improvement in HReel-Acttietting Devices for Cameras and the like, errors appear in the printed speciiication requiring correction as follows: Page 5, after line 45, insert the following as claim 6:

6. In a camera, the combination of a pair of centers, potygonattg shaped in crosssection, a pinion mounted on one of said centers, cam sleeves surrounding a portion of said centers and supported in said camera, means coacting with said cam sleeves to simultaneously move said centers away from 0r towards each other, the sleeve surrounding said pinion having a slot therein, and a gear entering said slot and in mesh with said pinion for rotating said pinion and center.; same page, lines 46, 57, 67, and 78, for claim numbers 6, 7,7 "8, and 9 rend 7, 8, .9, and I0; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oilice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of December, A. D., 1921. I

[SEAL] KAR-L FENNING,

f Acting Oornmissioner of Patents. 

